Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

May 14, 2015 (AM)

Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

[Provisional Translation]

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the problem of the strengthening of import restrictions on Japanese food products by Taiwan, which were originally introduced following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. According to some press reports, consultations have concluded without reaching an agreement and it is now certain that imports of all Japanese food products to Taiwan will be halted from May 15. Can I ask for the facts behind these press reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, it is a fact that consultations have taken place between the contact organizations of Japan and Taiwan concerning Taiwan’s moves to strengthen import restrictions on Japanese food products. I would like to refrain from making any comment about the content of these consultations. However, the Government of Japan considers these strengthened import restrictions, which are planned to be implemented from May 15, to be extremely regrettable given that they are measures that have been imposed unilaterally without any scientific basis. To date, the Government has provided explanations to Taiwan through the office of the Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ) concerning the safety of Japanese food products and has requested that a decision be made based on scientific evidence. The Government will continue to emphasize the safety of Japanese food products and call on Taiwan to rescind these import restrictions with a decision that is based on scientific evidence.